Create policy solutions that increase equality, promote equity, and forge enduring social change.
The Master of Science in Social Policy (MSSP) Program empowers you to evaluate, create, and execute critically oriented, evidence-informed policy solutions in government and non-government settings. You’ll experience an innovative curriculum, gain access to expert faculty, and engage in intensive real-world experiences that will prepare you to drive meaningful change in health, housing, education, immigration, and beyond.
For students interested in enhancing their studies with a certificate that prepares them to leverage data analytics for social policy, SP2 also offers the MSSP+Data Analytics (MSSP+DA) program.
Learn more about the MSSP program and the SP2 experience.
Ready to experience SP2? Learn more about the application process.
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Welcome to the MSSP Program at the University of Pennsylvania!
Are you interested in pursuing a master’s degree in social policy? If so, you have come to the right place. In this program, you will learn from world-class faculty who are experts in their fields and passionate about teaching. You will also learn from your peers who come from diverse backgrounds and experiences. Policy internships and projects will give you the opportunity to apply your skills in real-world settings. As the academic director of the program, I am eager to work with you and help you achieve your academic and professional goals.
I am an economist with U.S. federal policy experience as the principal economist at the Department of Justice Antitrust Division. My research touches on many social policy issues, including low-wage work, the universal basic income, and environmental justice. I am committed to advancing social justice through evidence-based policy solutions. And I hope to share my passion with you!
Our interdisciplinary program provides you with rigorous training in policy analysis, statistical analysis, and critical theory. You will study a wide range of social policy domains, such as social welfare, education, health, technology, and environmental justice, among many others. We will examine social policy from a social justice perspective, challenging assumptions and biases, and seeking effective solutions to promote social justice. As artificial intelligence is able to execute more and more tasks, we need more than ever to develop critical and strategic thinking about policy.
In addition to our rigorous academic training, you will gain real-world experience through a policy internship that will connect you with policy practitioners and organizations in multiple sectors and settings. You will become part of a vibrant and diverse community of scholars who share your passion for social change.
Whether you are a prospective or current student, I hope you are as excited as I am about this program and what it can offer you. I wish you all the best in your studies and look forward to meeting you soon!
“You will become part of a vibrant and diverse community of scholars who share your passion for social change.”
The MSSP program faculty are here to help you shape your own area of policy expertise, drawing on decades of scholarship, teaching, and experience in areas including education and social policy, homelessness, integrated database systems, the labor market, and global culture.
